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For more information: http://www.emro.who.int/http://www.who.int© World Health Organization 2011

Cholera is an acute, diarrhoeal illness caused by thebacterium Vibrio cholerae

The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe

Washing hands with soap and water is the basis of health

Cholera: transmission, symptoms and treatment

Mode of transmission

Symptoms

Treatment

A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with the cholera bacterium

Watery diarrhoea

Patients can be treated with oral rehydration solution and/or intake of liquids in large amounts

The source of the contamination is usually the faeces of an infected person, or water contaminated with sewage

Profuse vomiting

Severe cases also require intravenous fluids

In severe cases rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock that might cause death

Community health promotion

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For more information: http://www.emro.who.int/http://www.who.int© World Health Organization 2011

PreventionDrink and use safe water/Eat safe food

Use latrines or bury faeces; do not defecate in any body of water

Boil water, and bring it to a complete boil for at least 1 minute

Use latrines or other sanitation facilitaties, to dispose of faeces

Keep the latrine clean

Use one of the locally available water treatment products, or if not available, add 2 drops of household bleach for every 1 litre of water and wait 30 minutes before drinking

If no latrine is available, defecate at least 30 metres away from any source of water and then bury the faeces properly

Boil water: Make sure to bring it to a complete boil for at least 1 minute

Dig new latrines or temporary pit toilets at least half a metre deep and 30 metres away from any body of water

Before you eat or prepare food

Before feeding your children

After taking care of someone who has diarrhoea, touching them, their stools, vomit or clothes

After using the latrine or toilet

After cleaning your child’s bottom

If no soap is available, scrub hands often with ash or sand and rinse with clean water

Clean up safely: in the kitchen or where you prepare food.Wash yourself, children, diapers and clothes, 30 metres away from drinking-water sources.

Cook food well for at least 30 minutes, and covered, at 60 °C

Eat food hot, and peel fruits and vegetables

Wash your hands often with soap and safe water

Community health promotion

1 minute

30 minutes

60°

Washing hands with soap and water is the basis of health

Cholera: prevention